Nifty Gifty: Our picks for the best bag charms of the season

It’s upon us, you guys. The holiday shopping season. It keeps starting earlier and earlier, but I refuse even to utter the words “holiday shopping” before Halloween is dead and buried. Today’s date is November 3rd, so I guess it’s time to stop pretending that Christmas isn’t barreling at us at top speed and start thinking about potential gifts. For those of you who refuse to think about Christmas until after Thanksgiving, I completely understand, but I like to beat the rush.

Today, I’d like to tackle the question of what you buy for a bag lover when your budget isn’t huge. Someone who regularly treats themselves to bags worth four figures is a hard person to shop for, after all, when your target price range for a gift is likely somewhat lower. For me, the perfect answer is a bag charm. All of the ones we’ve chosen can double as a chic key fob if the recipient would rather not hang anything on the outside of her bag, but I’d display any of these proudly. Sometimes it’s fun to make your bag your own.

Louis Vuitton is the unequivocal master of this product category, and I’m partial to the witty illustrations on the brand’s most recent line. $240 via Louis Vuitton.

Michael Kors Pompom Key Chain

Fur bag accents are a huge trend right now, but you don’t need to buy a new purse to get the look. Attach this accessory to anything in your current collection and you’re instantly au courant for a very reasonable price. $24 via Neiman Marcus.

Miu Miu Microbag

Prada Trick Rhyna Bag Trick

We love all of Prada’s adorable holiday bag tricks, but this vaguely Gaga-inspired version is the best of them. They’re not available yet, but it’s rumored they will cost around $150.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Handbag Charm Watch

If you want your bag charm to do something other than just be cute, perhaps you’d prefer a very modern take on the traditional watch on a chain. Let’s be real, though – you’ll still check the time on your cell phone. $250 via ShopBop.

See by Chloe Nutter Squirrel Key Fob

My favorite thing about bag charms is that they tend to be whimsical and silly in an arena that can get self-serious and boring, and what’s more whimsical than a stylized squirrel with a prized nut? $115 via Net-a-Porter.

Diane von Furstenberg Roxie Tassel Key Ring

If you want to spice up a boring bag but don’t want your bag charm to look out of place, a black leather tassel is your best choice in most situations. $30 via ShopBop.

Jimmy Choo Teddy Luggage Tag

Similar to a leather tassel, a stylized luggage tag looks like it might have been part of the bag from the very start. Try one in a print for extra impact. $250 via Net-a-Porter.

Louis Vuitton Fleur D’Etoile Bag Charm

We’ve already featured one Vuitton option in this list, but LV makes so many different kinds of bag charms that I couldn’t help but add another, completely different option to the list. This one is so pretty and ladylike that it’s almost jewelry. $445 via Louis Vuitton.